The Power of Turkish Delight: A Free Movie Lesson on the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Sometimes the allure of evil can be overwhelming. It can look so beautiful and seem like it will be so satisfying that our curiosity can get the better of us. Then, we try a sample and get hooked. That’s what we will explore this week through the eyes of Edmund Pevensie.

Week 1 Synopsis:

Last week we began our adventure into Narnia. Here is what happened…
During World War II, the Pevensie children; Lucy, Susan, Edward, and Peter leave are evacuated to escape the city bombings. They are sent to live in a strange house owned by a mysterious professor. One day as they are playing hide and seek, Lucy hides in what she finds to be a magic wardrobe that takes her to the land of Narnia.

Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus, a fawn who brings her to his home for tea. Mr. Tumnus informs Lucy that Narnia has been experiencing winter for 100 years as a punishment from the White Witch. When Lucy wakes from a nap a saddened and guilt-ridden Mr. Tumnus tells her that he is kidnapping her and taking her to the White Witch, who has promised that if someone brings her a human that she will lift the curse. However, Mr. Tumnus cannot go through with betraying his new friend and helps Lucy back to the wardrobe so she can return home.

Lucy stumbles from the wardrobe to learn that although she has been in Narnia for several hours, it has only been a few seconds back home. She reveals her adventure to her older brothers and sisters who do not believe her wild tale.

Beginning Activity

Watch the Movie: Start 26:34 End 50:23

Bring in a candy bar that has melted and then hardened again in its package. (You can melt it by leaving it in your car.)

Play a game where there will be one winner (Like Rock, Paper, Scissors or guess a number between 1 and 10). Tell them that they are competing to win the candy bar. Award the prize to the winner. Hopefully the candy will be pretty much ruined and gross.

Ask the Winner: How do you feel about your prize?

Ask the Others: How do you feel about not having won this prize?

Sometimes, things that tempt us by looking very appealing don’t turn out that way.

How did Edmund in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe get fooled by something that seemed good?

DISCUSSION

Read Genesis 3:1–24.
Invite several youth to read 6-8 verses each out loud to the group.

How does this account compare with Edmund’s encounter with the White Witch?

What did the serpent use to tempt Eve? What did the White Witch use to tempt Edmund?

Leader’s Note: The serpent told Eve that the fruit would actually give her wisdom. The White Witch promises Edmund glory and lots of desserts.

If you were Edmund (or Eve) what would the Witch (or serpent) know to tempt you with? What things are you most tempted by?

Both Mr. Tumnus and Edmund treat Lucy badly. How do their reactions to their own behavior differ?

Leader’s Notes: Edmund decides to lie about his discovery of Narnia so he doesn’t have to admit that Lucy was right. Edmund is not grieved by his sin, nor will he truly repent. However, Mr. Tumnus is the opposite. When the faun lies, he is grieved by his own treachery.

How do you feel when you’ve mistreated or betrayed another person? Why do you think you feel that way?

Leader’s Note: When we sin, the Holy Spirit prods us to know right from wrong through our conscience. When we heed that voice and repent of our sins, we are quickly forgiven, and even if we still suffer consequences for these mistakes, we have the hope of everlasting life beyond those sufferings.

Why is it a bad thing if we don’t feel badly when we sin?

Leader’s Note: If we harden our hearts against conscience, we become prisoners and slaves to sin. Edmund’s pride and arrogance shut him down to really feeling bad for what he does, and it leads to even worse sins against his siblings.

Read James 4: 7–10.

What do these verses tell us to do when we sin?

Leader’s Note: The verses say to submit to God (or confess and give ourselves to God) instead of running from the sin, and to resist the devil and humbly come to God for forgiveness.

How does Edmund stand in contrast to this instruction?

The professor tells Peter and Susan they have three options when it comes deciding what to believe about Lucy and her story of Narnia. What are they?She’s crazy/mad. She’s lying. She’s telling the truth.

Why do some people refuse to believe in things until they actually experience it?

Why do some people refuse to believe even when the miracle is right in front of them?

When the children ask Beaver “What is Aslan like?” The Beaver says “He’s like everything we ever heard.”

What were you taught that God was like when you were little?

How has your experience of God compared with what you were told? (similar or different) How do you decide what to believe about God?

What are you told about God now?

Read Isaiah 9:1-7 and Matthew 3:1-12

What do these prophecies tell us about Jesus?

How to they relate to Aslan?

If the people had been taught these prophesies why do you think they had such a hard time believing them?

Eat Turkish Delight

Edmund was first tempted by the witch and enticed into betraying his siblings with the promise of all the sweets he could ever want, specifically Turkish Delight. We are going to take a brief break in our conversation to taste this treat for ourselves!

Allow everyone to try the treat and share what they think about it.Leader Note: The recipe is below. You’ll have to prepare this ahead of time.

Read James 1: 13–15.

How does Edmund get “dragged away and enticed” by his own desires?

Leader’s Note: The White Witch sees Edmund is selfish, so she flatters him above all others. She sees his arrogance, so she promises him glory. She learns of his love for desserts and offers him all he wants. By appealing to his weaknesses, she is able to turn his will against his siblings and, ultimately, against Aslan, just as Judas was baited to turn against Christ by the offer of money.

What questions or insights do you have from the movie that we have not discussed yet?

What do you think of the movie so far and the opportunity to discuss it and relate it to our faith?

BIG GROUP LEADER CLOSING

Give small groups a 5 minute and 2 minute warning to wrap up discussion. Call the group back together as a large group.

Invite prayer requests and invite a youth to pray for the group. (If no one volunteers, you may select someone or pray yourself).

Tell the youth you hope to see them back next week!

Turkish Delight Recipe

Mix sugar, salt and gelatin in a cooking pot.
Add water
Bring to slow boil and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes
Remove from heat and stir in juice
Pour into 8 inch square pan.
Chill overnight.
Cut into squares and roll in powdered sugar.

The White Witch tempts Edmund by offering him things that seem good. But instead of reward, he gets a rotten deal. His own weaknesses led him right into her clutches.